“You gave me word of your love while in deadly peril, _señorita_, at a time when no other man could offer you protection, perhaps through momentary gratitude at what I had done. Now it is not necessary, _señorita_, for you to stand by that word. You have but to go through that door to be with your friends again--you need not lower yourself longer by companionship with Captain Fly-by-Night.” “There is no one else,” she answered. “All are gone. And were there a million, did to stand by you mean to be ostracized by all the world, yet by your side I’d stand. Anita Fernandez does not give love for gratitude, _señor_. And she gives it but once!” “My beloved!” he cried, holding her close. Now the battering at the door would be denied no longer, and the Governor’s voice came to them. “Inside, there! Open, Fly-by-Night, for there is no escape. If you have harmed the _señorita_----” “I am here and safe,” the girl called. “Thank Heaven!” they heard the Governor exclaim. “Open and surrender, Fly-by-Night! Surrender and take the consequences of your act!” The caballero looked down at the girl again. “There is no other way,” he said. “There is no escape----” “N--no! Have you forgotten? Even if you can prove you had no part in the uprising, there is still another charge. Did you not slay Rojerio Rocha? He was the Governor’s friend. My word, the _señora’s_, that he was the real renegade, would not be taken in the absence of other proof. Think you the Governor would believe ill of his dead friend? They’d have your life----” “There is no other way, beloved. One kiss--again--and I must open the door!” “No--no! I cannot lose you now!” “It would be better for you to pretend no interest in me,” he said. “Then my death as a felon will not stain you.” “I stand by you, caballero, in the fact of whatever may occur; I tell my love to the world as soon as you open that door; I fight to save you--use every influence--and will be proud to let all know it! What care I what the world says, caballero? I know the man who holds my love--know him better than the world that has maligned him----” “Ah!” he cried, and covered her face with kisses again. “This were love indeed!” “Open the door, or we batter it down!” thundered the Governor’s voice. “I’ll open it presently!” the caballero cried. In the other room there was quiet for a moment while they awaited the caballero’s appearance. Before the door were Gonzales, Cassara, Ensign Sanchez, the lieutenant, all with swords drawn and held ready, all of them wounded slightly, all fatigued, yet all eager to cross blades with Captain Fly-by-Night. “Back!” the Governor was ordering them. “I want this man alive, to make an example of him!” Inside, the caballero took his arms from around the girl, and stepped to the door. In the face of such a predicament he still could smile and hum a song. But, as he touched the bar, Anita grasped his arm. “I go out first,” she said. “No----”